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June 6, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Ethan Saliba, assistant athletics director for sports medicine/head athletic trainer at Virginia, is the 2007 Division I Athletic Trainer of the Year as selected by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s College/University Athletic Training Committee.
The award recognizes outstanding service to the athletic training profession and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) at the Division I level. Saliba, who has been a member of the Virginia athletics department staff for 24 years, will receive the award at the association’s annual meeting and clinical symposia in Anaheim, Calif., on June 28.
“Ethan is a dedicated professional and very deserving of this national recognition,” said Virginia Executive Associate Director of Athletics Jon Oliver. “Our student-athletes, coaches and staff have benefited from his knowledge and expertise for many years. He has been an integral part of the success our athletics program has enjoyed during his time in the department.”
Saliba was promoted to assistant athletics director for sports medicine in June of 2003 and has served as UVa’s head athletic trainer since August of 1998. He oversees all daily athletic training room operations, including: staff, clerical and student assignments; injury management and rehabilitation; and ensuring medical coverage for all UVa varsity athletes. Saliba was previously named senior associate athletic trainer in September of 1995 after serving as associate athletic trainer since 1990. He originally joined the UVa athletics department as an assistant athletic trainer in 1983.
“Ethan is richly deserving of the award,” said Ron Courson, chair of the NATA’s College/University Athletic Trainers’ Committee. “He has dedicated his career to the betterment of the athletic training profession.”
Saliba came to Virginia from Lincoln, Neb., where he worked for four years as a staff physical therapist at the University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Kansas in 1979 and earned a master’s degree in sports medicine/athletic training from Virginia in 1986. He received his doctorate in sports medicine from UVa in 1992.
Saliba has faculty appointments as a professor in Virginia’s Curry School of Education and as an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer by the NATA and a licensed athletic trainer and physical therapist. He is a Sport Certified Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.